Mechanical phase-corrector for multiplex-telegraph distributers.



S. W. ROTHERMEL.

MECHANICAL PHASE CORRECTOR FOR MULTIPLEX TELEGRAPH DISTRIBUTERS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-4. I916.

Patented Jan. 15, 1918.

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ATTORNEY S. W. ROTHERMEL.

MECHANICAL PHASE COHRECTOR FOR MULTIPLEX TELEGRAPH DISTRIBUTERS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 4,1916.

Patented J an. 15, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- IN V ENTOR.

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S AMUEL W. ROTHER-MEL, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSJZGNDR T0 THEWlEfiTlEltN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, hi. Y., A CUEPDEATEONOF NEW YORK.

MECHANlCAL PHASE-CORRECTOR FOR MULTIPLEX-TELJEGRAJPH DISTEIIBUTEES.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1L5, .Wild.

Application filed December 4., 1916. Serial No. 13%,895.

To all whom it mayooncern:

Be it known that I, SnMUEL W. Ro'rrmnmnn, a citizen of the United Statesof America, and a resident of the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings,city and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Mechanical Phase-Correctors for Multiplex-TelegraphDistributers, of which the following is a specificat1on.

My invention relates to improvements in mechanical phase correctors formult1plex telegraph distributers and compnsesmeans whereby the mechanismof such distrlbute'rs is much simplified, whereby various contacts andother parts heretofore employed are eliminated, and whereby necessityfor frequent readjustment is avoided; and the operation of thecorrecto'r is made more positive and reliable.

The corrector herein illustrated and described is particularly intendedfor use in connection with Baudot multiplex apparatus, and itsmodifications and adaptations; but the invention is by no meansrestricted to such systems, but is of general applicability wherecontinuously operating synchronous commutators or distributers areemployed in a line circuit. Since, however, it seems necessary toillustrate the invention in connection with one such synchronous systemonly, and since the Baudot system is a convenient system in connectionwith which to illustrate the invention, 1 have illustrated Baudotapparatus (or more properly a modification thereof) in the accompanyingdrawings. I have illustrated the system in connection with the method ofand means for phase correction illustrated in the application of G. M.Yorke and G. R. Benjamin Serial No. 654, field January 5, 1915, and theapplication of Donald Murray, Serial No. 6,535 filed February 6, 1915.

The object of my invention is to reduce the complication of mechanicalcor-rectors heretofore employed in synchronous telegraph systems such asmentioned, to avoid the necessity for frequent adjustment of thedifi'erent parts, to facilitate such adjustment as ma be necessary, andto make such correcting evices more positive and reliable in theiraction. 1

ll will now roceed to describe my invenv tion with re erence to theaccompanying section of the distributer,

drawings, and will then point out the novel features in claims. In saiddrawings:

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically transmitting and receiving apparatus ofthe eneral Baudot type, but modified as described in the saidYorke-Benjamin application, with my improved correction arrangementillustrated as a part thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary diagram illustratmg an arrangement of circuitsand relays alternative to that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a front elevation of a portion of the distributer and inparticular shows in elevation the correction mechanism of thedistributor as simplified in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 4 shows a side elevation and partial the driving motor of thatdlstributer and the brush arms and brushesbeing omitted.

Referring first to Fig. 1: D and D designate rotary distributers orcommutators of the general Baudot type, located at o posite ends of aline wire L. Such distr1buters comprise a plurality of commutator rings(eight each, in the construction shown) alternate rings being plain, andalternate rings segmented, and suitable brushes being provided forconnecting each plain ring electrically with its corresponding segmentedring. Corresponding rings of the two distributers shown are designatedby the same reference characters, viz., S RG S RG, 8*, RG and S RG andthe brushes are designated by characters BB BB BR and BB According tothe Baudot system of transmission, each character consists of fivecurrent impulses, some or all of which may be positive, and some or allof which may be negative; the various impulse combinations required todifferentiate each character from the others being obtained bypermutations of the positive and negative impulses. The distributersshown in Fig. 1 are adapted each for four channels of communication; butfor simplicity I have shown transmitting and receivin means for onechannel of communication only in each direction. The distributer ringsare shown developed, and I have shown no means for driving the brushes,the mounting of the brushes with reference to the various distributerrings and the meth- Mid ods of rotating such brushes, being well known.

T and T designate automatic transmitters, one at each end of the lineand each adapted to transmit, through its corresponding distributor, torecelving apparatus R or R at the opposite end of the line, and throughthe distributer at that end of the line. Since such transmitting andreceiving apparatus are well known, detailed descrlp tion thereof is notnecessary here.

In practice, in these distributers, the brushes of each distributer aremounted upon a rotatable shaft, driven by a motor of .vcr constantspeed, the brush shaft of one distributerbein usually driven at a normalspeed very s ightl greater or very slightly less, as preferre than thebrush shaft of the other distributor; and the function of the mechanicalcorrector is to step.

back or to step forward, as the case may be, the brushes of the onedlstributer w1th referonce to the brush shaft of that distributer,

in order to restore proper phase relation between the two distributerswhen such restoration is necessary. The distributer provided with suchcorrection mechanism is termed the corrected distributer, while theother distributer, which commonly has no correction mechanism, is termedthe correcting distributer. In Fig. 1, D is the correcting distributorand D is the corrected distributer; correctin mechanism being shown onlyin connection with distributer D Commonly, a'line relay is interposedbetween each distributer' and the line, and commonly the correcteddistributer is provided with a correcting relay in the main line, bywhich correcting relay the correction mechanism of that distributer isdirectly controlled. In Fig. 1, ML desig nates the two main line relays,and CL the correcting relay employed in connection with distributer DAccording to the Yorke-Benjamin correction method, each current reversalafi'ecting the correcting relay CL aflords an opportunity forcorrection; but the correction mechanism operates only when, at the timeof one or more of such reversals, one distributor is sufliciently out ofphase with respect to the other distributer, to require correction.

In considering the operation of my improved corrector, we will considerthat telegraphic characters are being transmitted from distributer D todistributer D It will be noted that contacts of transmitter '1 areconnected by suitable conductors to five segments of ring S ofdistributor D and that, supposing various contact combinations to be setup intransmitter T, when brush BR passes over the segments of ring Stowhich said conta ts of transinto signal receiving device R. It is notthought necessary to describe in detail this signal receiving device; orthe method of its operation.

Ring S consists of alternate conductive and insulating segments, all butone of the conductive segments being connected together.

The armature of relay CL vibrates, as implied above, in unison with thevibration of the armature of the right hand relay ML.

Supposing the armature'of relay CL to move to the right, a circuit iscompleted from source of current supply 1 and the right stop of thatrelay, the armature of the relay, and conductor 2 and the coils of arelay R (commonly termed the break relay) to return at 3. There isanother circuit path from conductor 2 through conductor 4, the armatureof relay R (when that armature is in retracted position) and conductor 5to ring RG2 of distributor D and thence through brush BR to ring S ofthat distributer and thence through conductor 6 direct, or throughconductor 7 (connecting all but one of the conductive segments of S andswitch 8 if closed (as it is normally) to conductor 6, and the coils ofa relay R, to return. If distributers D and D are in proper phaserelation, brush BB will be over one of the insulated divisions betweenthe conductive segments of ring S at the instant of each completion ofcircuit through conductor 2 and through the coils of relay R and beforebrush BR can have passed on to one of theconductive segments of ring Srelay R will have attracted its armature, so breaking thevcircuit pathto ring RG But if, at the instant of completion of circuit by the relayCL through the coils of relay R brush BR is in contact with one of theconductive segments of ring S of distributor D (which may occur if thetwo distributers are not in exact proper phase relation) a circuit willbe completed through conductor 4, the armature of relay R", conductor 5,ring RG brush BR, ring S and conductor 6, and the magnet coils of makerela R, to return at 3. The armature of re ay R being thereby broughtinto contact with the frontstop of that relay, circuit is completed fromsource of current supply 9, and the armature'and front contact stop ofrelay R and conductor 10 to the magnet M of the corrector mechaaeaeaenism and thence throu h-conductor to return at 11'. The closmg of thesaid contacts of relay R locks the armature of that relay in attractedposition by current flow- The closing of the contacts of relay Rt alsocloses circuit through the magnet coil of a further relay R as follows:From conductor 1O through conductor 14:, the magnet coils of relay R andconductor -15 to return at 3. This relay R", thus energized closes ashunt circuit from conductor 6 through conductors 13 and 16, thecontacts of the relay, and conductor 15, to return at 3; that is to say,closes a shunt circuit around the magnet of relay-R; and this shuntcircuit, when closed, causes the armature of relay R to drop back, sodeenergizing the corrector. magnet M. But in the meantime magnet M hasoperated the ratchet mechanism of the corrector as hereinafter de-,

scribed.

Relay R is a very rapidly operating relay, and the magnet M is also 'arapidly operating magnet. more slow in operation. By properly timing theoperationof relays R" and R therefore, relay R may be energized, in casedistributer D is materially out of phase with respect to distributer Dfor a time suficient to cause the operation of the ratchet magnet M; andthis relay 'R- may be locked up,. with its contacts closed, for a timesufici'ent to insure a complete operation of such ratchet mechanism bymagnet M, and then, by the operation of relay R,.the magnet of relay Itmay be shunted and therefore deenergized. By that time the magnet ofrelay R will have been deenergized by the breaking of its energizingcircuit by R. Also, by that time the armature of magnet M will havecompleted its operation. If further correction is required, upon thenext reversal in the line L a simllar series of operations will occur.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative arrangement wherein the third relay, heredesignated by character Ti controls, through its armature and backcontact stop, the locking circuit of relay R relay R being, as is theease with respect to relay R of Fig. 1, a relatively slow acting relay.The circuits and apparatus whereby relay R is initially energized, incase correction is required, are the same as in Fig." 1, and hencerequire no further description. Upon the energization of the magnet ofrelay R, anenergizing circuit for relay R is established from source 9through the armature and front contact of Relays R and R are thewindings of relay R', and conductor 15 to return at 3, as in Fig. 1; andat the same time a locking circuit for relay R is established fromsource 9 through the armature andf ont contact sto of relay R, conductor1 a' conductor 1 the armature and back contact stop of relay R and theconductor 18 toconductor 6, and thence through the magnet coils of relayR to ground at 3. It is convenient in this arrangement to provide thearmature or relay R' with a spring contact member 19,

\which will somewhat delay the breaking of contact upon the attractionof such armature or other convenient well known means may 'be employedfor delaying for a time the breaking of contact of such armature withits rear contact stop, during forward movement of the armature. By meansof the spring 19 or whatever other breakagedelaying means may beemployed, the breaking of the locking circuit of relay R is delayed fora time suflicient to insure the operation of the ratchet mechanismoperated by magnet M; after which, the locking circuit of relay R beingbroken at the rear contact of relay R both relays R and R aredenergized.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown various resistances, which are to beunderstood, in general, as being adjustable, and which are mereregulating resistances. The switch 8 previously mentioned is a switchwhich is opened when starting up the distributers, in order to bringthem into synchronism; and as the general method of synchronizingpertains to the said Yorke-Benjamin application its not thoughtnecessary to describe the use of said switch here. The switch 20 isprovided for hand operation of the corre'ction mechanism of thedistributer in case for any reason that be necessary. The shuntedcondenser 21- is provided to prevent sparking to the contact points ofrelay B and switch 20.

I Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 showing the mechanical details of theratchet correcting mechanism forming a part of the correcteddistributer. 22 designates a shaft driven by the driving motor of thedistributer (such motor not shown) and 23 and 24 designate. collectingrings mounted on said shaft, and 25 and 26 corresponding brushes;conductor 10 (Fig. 1) being connected to one of these brushes and theconductor 10 to the other of. these brushes. Ring 23 is connected by aconductor 27 to one terminal of the coil of magnet M, and ring 24 isc0nnected by a conductor 29 to the other terminal of the coil of magnetM. This magnet M is mounted ona suitable frame 30 carried by androtating with shaft 22. The distributer brush shaft 33 is separate fromshaft 22, and is provided with a gear at with which iutermeshes a pinion35 mounted upon a shaft 36 having bearings in the frame 30. A ratchetwheel 37 is also mounted upon shaft 36. The armature lever 38 for magnetM is pivoted in the said frame 30 at 39, and carries a pawl 40 engagingratchet wheel 37. Said pawl is provided with a ring 41; and armaturelever 38 is providefl with a retractile spring 42. A spring jockey 43bears upon ratchet wheel 37 and serves to prevent reverse rotation ofsaid ratchet wheel when pawl 40 is drawn back for engagement withanother tooth of the ratchet wheel. It will be seen that, with ratchetwheel 37 held stationary shaft 33 is driven from shaft 22, throughpinion 35 and gear 34; but that while shafts 22 and 33 are in rotation,if magnet M be energized, awl 40 will force ratchet 37 forward througthe space of one tooth, which in the particular arrangement shown, hasthe effect of stepping back shaft 33 (and therefore the brushes normallycarried by that shaft) with respect to shaft 22. The adjustment of theshaft 33 and the brushes carried thereby is therefore similar to theadjustment of the hands of a clock, which may be elfected by turningthose hands while the clock mec anism is in operation, and for thatreason, this method of regulating the position of the brushes of thedistributer to bring the corrected distributer into proper phaserelation with respect to the correcting distributer is commonly termedclock hand regulation.

Heretofore the contacts controlling the locking circuit of relay B havecommonly beenmounted upon the rotatin frame 30 of the distributercorrection mec anism and have been operated by an arm mounted upon suchframe 30 and by a linkage operated by the armature lever 38; whichconstruction has, in practice, been found to possess numerous operativedisadvantages; for example, when the locking contacts for relays R" areon the rotating corrector mechanism, these contacts some times fail toclose, or open the locking circuit too soon. Moreover, the mechanlsmoperating these contacts could not be adjusted while the distributer wasin operation; and in general, it is of 7 course desirable to reduce tothe lowest possible point parts which are on the rotating parts of thedistribnter.. It will be apparent that by removing the locking circuitcontacts from the distributer'mechanism proper, together with the meansfor operating and adusting 4 those contacts, and substituting therefor asimple relay physically removed from the adjuster mechanism proper, avery great actual simplification is obtained; and furthermore, it nowbecomes possible to make all ordinary adjustments while the distributeris in operation.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a telegraph die:

I asoaaao said armature through its magnet comprising a relay having alocking circuit whichis closed when said relay operates to cause theoperation of such armature, and

a further slower acting relay likewise energized when said firstmentioned relay is energized, such further relay arran ed when soenergized to cause deenergization of the first mentioned relay,

' 2. The combination with 'a telegraph distributer having clock handcorrection mechanism includin an operating magnet, and armature thereor, of means for operating said armature through its magnet comprising arelay having a locking circuit which is closed when said relay operatesto cause the operation of such armature, and a further slower actingrelay likewise energized when said first mentioned relay is energized,such further relay arranged when so energized to close a shunt circuitaround the magnet of such first mentioned relay, thiareby deenergizingsuch first mentioned re ay.

3.- The combination with a telegraph distributer having correctionmechanism, including an operating magnet, and armature therefor, andhaving also a segmented correcting ring, of means for operating saidarmature through its magnet comprising a correcting relay, a make relayand a break relay, the latter relatively slow acting, a

circult through contacts of the correctmg relay and throu h the magnetcoils of the break relay, a ranch from such circuit through contactsofthe break relay, and the segmented correcting ring of the distributerand the magnet coils of the make relay, a

lockin circuit for the make rela assing throug the contacts thereof, ant rough the magnet coils thereof, an operating-01rcuit for the magnet ofthe correction mechanism likewise passing through the contacts of saidmake relay, a third relay and an energizing circuit therefor passingthrough the contacts of the make relay, said third relay beingrelatively slow acting and arranged when energized to causedeenergization of the make relay.

4. The combination with a telegraph distributer having correctionmechanism, in-

neeaaee and the magnet coils of the make relay, a

locking circuit for the make relay passing through the contacts thereof,and through the magnet coils thereof, an operating circuit for themagnet of the correction mechanism likewise passing through the contactsof said make relay, a third relay and an energizing circuit thereforpassing through the contacts of the make relay, said third relay beingrelatively slow acting, and arranged when energized to close a shuntcircuit around the magnet of the make relay.

5. The combination with a telegraph distributer having correctionmechanism including an operating magnet, and armature therefor,-of meansfor operating said armature through its magnet comprising a relay havinga locking circuit which is closed when said relay operates to cause theoperation of such armature, and a further slower acting relay likewiseenergized when said first mentioned relay is energized, such furtherrelay arranged when so energized to cause denergization of the firstmentioned relay.

6. The combination with a telegraph distributer having correctionmechanism including an operatin magnet, and armature therefor, of meansor operating said armature through its magnet comprising a relay havinga locking circuit which is closed when said relay operates to cause theoperation of such armature, and a further slower acting rel'ay likewiseenergized when said first mentioned relay is energized, such furtherrelay arranged when so energized to close a shunt circuit around themagnet of such first mentioned relay, thereby denergizing such firstmentioned relay.

7. he combination with a telegraph distributer having rotatably mountedcorrection mechanism including an operating magnet, and armaturetherefor, of means for operating said armature through its magnetcomprising a relay having a locking circuit which is closed when saidrelay operates to cause the operation of such armature, and meanscompletely separated from the rotating portion of said distributer, andhaving a stationary mounting and arranged to break the said lockingcircuit at the end of a predetermined interval, following the closing ofthat looking circuit.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL W. ROTHERMEL.

Witnesses:

H. M. MARBLE, PAUL H. FRANKIE.

